Quinquagesima Sunday The Gospel Luc. 18 v.31. Monday Meditation: A Plaine Path-way To Heaven Thomas Hill 1634

GOSPEL (Luke 18:31-43) 

At that time, Jesus took unto him the twelve and said to them: "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man. For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles and shall be mocked and scourged and spit upon. And after they have scourged him, they will put him to death. And the third day he shall rise again." And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid from them: and they understood not the things that were said. Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, begging. And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much more: "Son of David, have mercy on me." And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, Saying; "What wilt thou that I do to thee?" But he said: "Lord, that I may see." And Jesus said to him: "Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole." And immediately he saw and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Consideration For Monday

The next thing we will meet with all, over skipping the rest, till anon, is the City of Jerusalem. Behold we ascend, saith Christ, to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the only City, and that holy City where only, and no where else, it was lawful to do that supreme honor to God, as to offer external Sacrifice unto him: for without some external sacrifice or other, no religion can consist. No sacrifice, no priest; no priest,no altar; no altar, no priest, nor sacrifice, nor altar, no religion, but St Paul saith in one place that we of the new law have an altar all well as they of the old; and in another place, we have priesthood as well, as they, priesthood being not taken away when the old law ceased, but translated and changed only into another, as the law or religion was; as if he should say where there is religion established, (for that he meant by the law) there must be a priesthood, and consequently a sacrifice, and an altar.

At Jerusalem only, I say, was the glory of the priesthood, of the Sacrifice, and of the Altar for the supreme service of God amongst the Jews. The Samaritians would offer sacrifice in Samaria as well as there, but for this they were accounted as Schismatics or excommunicated persons, with whom the truly faithful Jews did not concourse, but shunned them as Apostates in religion.

Since therefore Jerusalem was the true and only place of Sacrifices; there would Christ the true sacrifice,(whereof the others were but shadows and figures) offer up himself upon the altar of the cross for the redemption and salvation of mankind; and therefore he went up thither to be crucified, that is to say, to be offered up a sacrifice upon the cross. And for as much as Christ to show his infinite love towards us, and what ours should be unto him; would not content himself, to suffer as much only as was necessary and no more; but as much as the impiety and cruelty of man could lay upon him: Therefore he would suffer in Jerusalem, where he might be sure to have enough, Envious men do work upon their inferiors: but where there is parity or equality, in present, or future possibilities, or fear thereof.

Now for as much as in Jerusalem, there were the principal wise men,learned men, Holy men, as the Scribes and Pharisees were and desired to be esteemed the best preachers, the greatest politicians, the gravest counselors, the most potent men amongst the nation of the Jews: And they feared,that Christ would prevail in the opinion of the people above them all,and bear all the sway; yea that they would make him their king,as they attempted to do: Where could Christ find such envy, such pride, such opposition, such cruelty, such contempt; as there? If he sought to be betrayed,to be taken, to be scourged, to be buffeted,to be scorned, blasphemed reproached, to be putt to a most cruel and barbarous death, there he might find it,as indeed he did, more the all the world desires would afford him.

And if besides his love he meant to show his power in encountering with them, and over coming them by his glorious resurrection,miracles &plantation of his Church through out the whole world, confirming all following ages in their faith,and love of him; whence could he do it so well as in Jerusalem, the public theater of the world? And if he would leave us a perfect pattern of patience, how could he do it better, then to suffer all those wrongs, so publicly & never once defend himself. Peradventure we may arrive at so much patience out of love of God and imitation of him to suffer some private injuries & disgraces, though for the profession of his religion, which, is the most honorable cause of all, and most beneficial to our souls,can hardly brook: but if we will be the disciples of Christ, if we will imitate him and fight under his banner, if we will in some part recompense his infinite love to us: we must for his love bear public injuries and disgraces,as well as private, yea and prefer them before private ,and glory therein, as Christ our most noble Captain did for us.